What happened to the first Chief Inspector Barnaby?

[ChangeMeUp]

Stuck in this afternoon and caught an episode of Midsomer Murders for the first time in ages. There’s a different Chief Inspector with a different wife and a different sergeant 😯 Where did Chief Inspector Barnaby the 1st go?!

2011! I used to watch it but haven't bothered much since John Nettles moved on. en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_Nettles

He retired. The 'new one' is his cousin

He left in 2011?! How can 11 years have passed since I last saw it! In your link (thank you) it says John Nettles is married to Joyce - wasn’t that his wife’s name in the series?

@Partyatnumberten his cousin?! Hmm, nepotism at play in Midsomer!

[quote ChangeMeUp]@Partyatnumberten his cousin?! Hmm, nepotism at play in Midsomer![/quote]
Fun fact (well, I say fun...), the reason he was replaced by his cousin was so they had the same last name. Midsomer Murders is shown in quite a few countries around the world and in some, it’s called “Barnaby” rather than midsomer murders, so the surname of the detective needed to stay.

Ah, that explains it @SickAndTiredAgain, thank you.

@ChangeMeUp

He left in 2011?! How can 11 years have passed since I last saw it! In your link (thank you) it says John Nettles is married to Joyce - wasn’t that his wife’s name in the series?

His wife (ex, I always thought, but maybe not) is a writer or producer of MM.

It's called Inspector Barnaby here (Italy)

Maybe the original had to give up the day job as he's visiting Joyce in jail because every evening class she signs up to ends up a bloodbath. Her and that Cully. Changing jobs every episode and being engaged to a different fella every week. Chuh!

The Joyce he was married to is not the actor who played Joyce Barnaby - she's Jane Wymark. Coincidence of names!

I prefer the 2nd Inspector Barnaby. He has a more interesting family; A wife who works, a cute little daughter and a dog. Joyce used to get on my nerves with her book clubs and art classes. Anyway John Nettles will always be Bergerac.

The TV shows aren't anywhere near as good as the books!

Yes, I seem to remember that members of Joyce’s art club or reading group or numerous friends were forever being killed. Very suspicious now I come to think of it.

Sarah, the second Mrs Barnaby, seems to have much more sensible friends. Far fewer deaths at least.

Joyce Nettles was a casting director in the series. I think she is the ex wife of John Nettles.